Manure-spreader.



No. 731,539. PATENTED JUNE 23, 1903..

T. BROWN. V

M'ANURE sPREADER. APPLICATION FILED MAR. 2, 1903.

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' fm/szzz azq No. 731,539. PATENTED JUNE 23, 1903.

T. BROWN..

MANURE SPREADER.

APPLICATION rmm ma. 2, 1903.

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No. 731,539. PATENTED JUNE 23, 1903.

T. BROWN.

MANURE SPREADER. APPLICATION FILED MAE. 24903.

HO MODEL 3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

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Patented June 23, 1903.

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PATENT THEOPHILUS BROWVN, OF WORCESTER, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO RICHARDSON MANUFACTURING COMPANY, OF WORCESTER, MASSA- CHUSETTS, A CORPORATION OF MASSACHUSETTS.

MANURE-SPREADER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 731,539, dated June 23, 1903. Application filed March 2, 1903. Serial No. 145,621. (No model.)

To (all whmn it may concern:

Be it known that I, THEOPHILUS BROWN, a citizen of the United States, residing VVorcester, in the county of lVorcester and State of Massachusetts, have invented new and use ful Improvements in Manure-Spreaders, of which the following, together with the accompanying drawings, is a specification sufficiently full, clear, and exact to enable persons skilled in the art to which this invention appertains to make and use the same.

My present invention primarily relates to a novel construction and arrangement for the end-gateor barrier-board which is employed at the front side of the rotary beater to keep the load from settling rearward while carting it to the field or place of spreading, and, secondly, relates to the structure and combinations of means for operating the gate or barrier-board, also to the combination of actuating mechanisms forsimultaneouslyraisingthe barrier-board and for shipping the spreaderoperating mechanism into active relation, as more fully hereinafter explained.

The objects of this invention are to provide a manure-spreader having a rotary beater with a barrier-board or end-gate adapted to relieve itself from the mass of the load at the initial upward movement when said board is lifted, also to provide a barrier-board adapted for foldable action, as hereinafter explained. Another object is to provide agate or barrier-board constructed and combined with the wagon-body, the heater, and the board-operating devices in such manner that said gate or barrier-board is adapted for performing the functions of a barrier, a comb-board, and a wind-break in relation to the beater.

Another object is to provide an elevatable foldable barrier-board with means for restraining the lower edge thereof to move in a determined line of elevation and descent, while the central portion of said board is permitted flexure from such determined line.

Anotherobject is to provide, in a manurespreader having a movable bottom, a rotary heater, and means for putting said bottom and heater into and out of operation, a barrier-board or gate and mechanism adapted for simultaneously by a single lever or actuating means lifting the barrier-board and throwing into action the mechanisms that operate the movable bottom and the rotary beater.

Another object is to provide a barrier-boardelevating mechanism operative in connection with the shipper mechanisms that control the beater and bed-driving gearing and means for effecting, when desired, the retention of the barrier-elevating mechanism with the board at elevated position while the said shipper mechanism is shifted for throwing out of action the bed and heater operating devices.

I attain these objects by the mechanism illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein- Figure 1 represents a side view of a manurespreader cart or wagon and mechanism embodying my invention. Fig. 1 illustrates the position of the hand-lever and connected parts when the bed and heater driving mechanism is out of action. Fig. 2 represents a plan view of the same. Fig. 3 is a vertical longitudinal section of the rear portion of the wagon and mechanism therein. Fig. 4: is a fragmentary vertical transverse section showinga manner of combining the end of the barrier-board with the side of the wagoirbody. Fig. 5 represents a front view of the mechanism at the forward end of the body. Fig. 6 represents a sectional detail view, on larger scale, of the shaft-bearing and armretaininglatch. the same with the outer crank member removed. Fig. 8 represents the inner side of said outer crank member. Fig, 9 is a fragmentary view showing in front elevation the detail of the automatic trip mechanism, and Fig. 10 is a fragmentary horizontal section illustrating a way of formingagroove orguide means for the restricted movement of the lower part of the barrier-board.

Referring to the drawings, the letterA indicates the rotatable main axle; B, the body or box for containing the load; C, the movable floor or bottom of the wagon, which, in connection with chains C, is mounted as a traveling bed on suitable sprocket-wheels D and D for operation in well-known manner, movement being imparted thereto by the Fig. 7 is an end view of worm-wheel E and disengageable worm-screw F, which latter receives motion from the axle Athrongh suitably-arranged gearing-as, for example, the gears at G and G.

I denotes the rotatable beater consisting of a cylinder or series of bars armed with projecting spikes or teeth. Rotary movement is imparted to the beater from the axle A by the gears l1 and H, sprocket-wheels J and J, and chain it or by any suitable means. A clutch K is provided for shipping the beater mechanism into and out of action. Said clutch is operated by a lever L, helical cam m, and connecting-rod M, that is joined to a crank member a, fixed upon the transverse rocker-shaft N, mounted in hearings on the forward part of the wagon-body and provided at a suitable position thereon with the hand-lever I all of which parts have been heretofore employed.

The worm-screw F is moved from and into engagement with the worm-wheel E by a suitable lifter or shifting device R,controlled by a rod R, having its fore end connected with an arm or crank member S, fixed on the rockshaft N. The connection devices are preferably arranged for shipping the beater-operating mechan ism and the bed-operating mechanism into and out of action together with each other.

My improved barrier-board (indicated by the numeral 3) is arranged adjacent to and in front of the beater I and is adapted to be elevated to the position shown in Fig. 1 or dropped to the position shown in Figs. 2, 3, and 4. Said barrier is, in accordance with my invention, formed of upper and lower board-sections hinged together, as at 4, for flexing in the direction shown. The upper section 13 is rigidly-attached to angle-shaped arms 5, that are fulcrumed or journaled in bearings 6, respectively, supported on the sides of the wagon-body, and each journal is provided with an outsidearm or crank 7 for the operating connection, the auglearm, its journal and outside crank member together fortninga rocking lever for raisingand lowering the barrier-board as required. The barrier-board extends across the interior space of the wagonbody above-the movable bed and is fitted to move free between the upright side walls thereof. The lower part of the lower section 3 is restricted by suitable guides to move up and down in a determinedline as the barrier is raised or depressed,while the hinge-line and upper section is unrestricted except by the movement by the swinging angle shaped arms. The restriction of the line of movement of the lower barrier is best effected by means of guideways or grooves 9, formed in or upon the side walls of the wagon-body, and engaging lugs, pins, or rolls 8, arranged on the barrier-board at or near the lower corners thereof and which are loosely confined to run within said guideways. (See Figs. 2, 4-, and 10.) The guideways or grooves 9 are disposed in vertical or approximately upright relation and are preferably widened or expanded rearward near their upper ends, as at 10, so that when elevated the lower edge of the barrier-board can swing rearward and perform the functions of a comlyboard in combination with the beater I to facilitate the pulverizing of lumps of manure as they are thrown up by the heater or to serve as a wind-brake above the beater when spreading light fine fertilizers.

The barrier-board is shown as elevated in Fig. 1 and atits depressed or barrier position in Figs. 3 and 4. The raising and lowering of the barrier-board is effected by the swing of the arms 5, and as the upper section 3 of the barrier is attached to said arms, the angles of which are rigid, the hinging at or joint-line moves on a circle the center of which is the center of the arm journals. Hence when lifted the initial movement causes the center or folding-line of the barrier to recede some what rearward, thus easing the barrier away from the mass of the load and rendering the lifting of the barrier much easier than it otherwise would be. The restriction of the lower edge of the board to a determined line of movement prevents interference of the barrier with the beaterand retains the load in proper position until the barrier is elevated. It also causes the foot of the barrier-board to assume proper position when lowered to the bed.

The guide-groove 9 may be formed as a recess within the side of the body, or in other instances may be formed by flange-bars 9 affixed to the upright side of the body, as indicated in section Fig. 10.

At each side of the body there is arranged upon the rocker-shaft N an arm 12, which is connected by a rod 13 to the arm 7 of the barrier-lifting rocker. A spring may be connected to the arm 7 and strained from a suitable attaching device fixed on the bodyframe for the purpose of counterbalancing some of the weight of the barrier-board and rendering the operation thereof somewhat easier than when such spring is omitted.

with a turnbuckle for adjusting the length thereof.

The arm 12 is mounted loose upon the shaft, and its hub is provided with a detent or lug 14E, (see Fig. 7,) adapted for engagement with an oppositely-disposed detent orlug 15, formed upon the hub of the crank member S, (or 01,) which is fixed upon the shaft. The lugs 14.- and 15 are proportioned to leave space or play-room of about one-third of the circle, more or less, between their positions of engagement.

Adjacent to the shaft-supporting bearingl]. and preferably within a casting connected therewith I arrange a latch-bolt 16, provided with a spring 17, for projecting it outward to engage the arm 12 for retaining it from swing ing rearward. (See Figs. 6 and 7.) The two latch-bolts at the opposite sides of the body If desired, the connection-rods may be provided TIO are connected by a chain 19 or other means whereby they can be si in ultaneonsly retracted by the attendant from his position on the seat T when it is desired to release the arms '12.

The hand-lever P is fixed to the.shaft N. A spring" 20 is combined therewith for throwing down the lever and rocking the shaft N when released from the latch.

A ratchet-wheel 23 is mounted on the end of the shaft D that unites the chain-carrying sprockets D, and a drop-pawl or catchbar 24, pivoted on the body-frame, is adapted to engage said ratchet-wheel for locking the shaft D and sprockets D from rotation, and thereby holding the bed from movement when the driving-worm F is outof gear. The latchbar 24 is connected with the crank members by a link 25, whereby said latch-bar is lifted from the ratchet-Wheel when the worm F is thrown into gear and dropped into engagement when the worm is thrown out of gear.

The latch 26 for holding the hand-lever P in upright position has in connection therewith an automatic throw-oif mechanism of improved construction, as shown. A swinging lever27is fulcrumed in or upon the side beam of the body-frame, as at 28. The arm of said lever which is outside of the carrying-body has its upper end suitably joined by a link 29 to an arm of the latch device, while the lower arm of said lever, which is disposed at the inner side of the body-frame, as at 30, is suitably formed and arranged to be engaged and actuated by a hook or detent 31,attached to one of the bed extension-chains C. The forward movement of the chain as the bedOtravels rearward brings the detent 31 into contact with the lower end and moves the lever 27, and the upper arm of said lever with its connection retracts thelatch 26. The handlever is then thrown down by the force of the reacting spring 20, partially rotating the shaft N and crank members fixed thereon, thereby throwing out of gear the bed-operating and beater-operating mechanisms. The hook or detent 31 is adjustably attached to the chain 6 and can be shifted thereon, so as to work the trip at any desired position of the bed mechanism.

In the operation the manure is loaded into the carrying-body B, while the follower-board 32 and movable bottom or bed 0 are at forward position and the foldable gate or barrier-board is down in front of the beater I,

the hand-lever P and arms 12 then being at positions shown in Figs. 1 and 2. For starting the spreading operation the attendant swings the hand-lever P to upright position, (see Figs. 1 and 5,) whereitis caught and held by the latch 26. The resultant movement of the shaft N, arms 12, and crank members S and n simultaneously actuates the several connections for raising the barrier-board 3 to its folded position,as shown in Fig. 1, disengaging the latch 24 from the ratchet wheel 23, shipping into gear the bed-operating worm F, and also the clutch K of the beater-operat ing mechanism, thus putting the whole machinery into operation. This upward swing of the hand-lever P and shaft N also causes the lugs 15 on the crank members S and n to act against the lugs 14 on the arms 12 and to move said arms past the latch-bolts 16, which by their spring 17 are projected at the rear of the arms for resisting backward swing of said arms. As the bottom 0 moves rearward the under run of the chain 0 is drawn forward until the hook or detent 31 engages the end 30 of the trip-lever27, causing said leverand its connections to draw back the latch 26, releasing the lever P, which latter is instantly thrown forward by the force of the spring 20, rocking the shaft N and by the several connecting means throwing out of gear the beateroperating and bed-operating mechanisms. The arms 12 being retained by the latch-bolts 16 and there being sufficient space between the lugs 14 and 15, the barrier-operating connections are not at the same time released; but the barrier-board is held elevated until the attendant, by a pull on the chain 19, retracts the latoh-bolts 16 and releases the arms 12. Then the barrier descendsto its standing position. If desired, the barrier-board can be let fall simultaneously with the trip-lever action by previously withdrawing the latchbolts 16 and keeping them retracted while the trip devices'act.

The retaining of the barrier-board elevated after the trip action permits of the movable bottom 0 being returned to its primal position before the dropping of the barrier-board. This return movement of the bottom is performed in usual manner by a crank or wrench applied to the end of the shaft which carries the sprockets D.

What I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In a manure-spreader, in combination with the carrying-body, its movable bottom and the rotatable beater; of a foldable barrier-board comprising a plurality of boardsections hinged together horizontally, and means for supporting and lifting said barrierboard, comprising swinging arms journaled in bearings on the sides of the body and attached to the upper section of said foldable barrier-board, for the purpose set forth.

2. In a manure-spreader, the combination with the wagon-body, the movable bottom and the rotatable beater; of a foldable barrierboard composed of horizontally-hinged sections, and a lifting and depressing means for supporting said barrier-board, substantially as described.

3. In a manure-spreader, the combination with the carrying-body and rotatable beater; of a movable folding end-board barrier, and means for adjusting or shifting said board into its several positions of use.

4. The combination with the carrying-bodyg of a folding barrier-board consisting of sections hinged together for horizontal flexure; means for restricting the lower edge of said barrier to move in a determined approximatelyuprightline,swinging arms fnlcrumed upon the sides of said body and attached to the upper section of said barrier-board, and means for operating said swinging arms for raising and lowering the barrier.

5. Thecombinatiomwiththecarrying-body provided with approximately upright guideways on the sides thereof; of a folding barrier-board loosely fitting between said sides, said board provided at its lower part with projections that engage said gnideways, rocking devices fulcrumed on the body-frame and having arms that are rigidly attached to the 'upper fold-section of said barrier-board, and

means for controlling said rocking devices or arms to bring the barrier-boardto its elevated or depressed position, for the purposes set forth.

(3. In a manare-spreader, in combination with the movable bed, the rotatable beater, and the carrying-body having guideways on the sides thereof forward of said beater; of a folding barrier-board composed of horizontally-hinged.sections loosely fitting between the sides of the body, the lower corners of said barrier-board provided with detents that engage said guidcways, means for lifting said barrier attached to its upper section by rigid angular arms that are pivotally supported in a plane at or nearly in line with the top edge thereof.

7. In combination with the body, rotary beater mounted thereon, folding hinged barrier-board provided with projecting studs, and barrier-lifting mechanism therefor; the upright guideways having the upper portion thereof rearwardly enlarged to permit rearward swing of the lower barrier-board section when the barrier-board is at elevated position.

8. Thecombinatiomwith the carrying-body having restricting guideways at the sides thereof, the foldable barrier-board, means whereby its lower corners are restricted to move in the line of said guideways, barrieractuating rockers journaled in bearings on the respective sides of the body, each rocker having a rigid angle-arm secured to the top section of said barrier-board, and a rigid crank-arm at the opposite end ofthejournal,a hand-leverand shaft at the front of the body, arms mounted on said shaft, and rods connecting said arms with the crank-arms of said barrier-actuating rockers, for the purpose set forth.

9. In a manure-spreader, the combination with the movable bed, bed-operating mochanism, means for shipping said mechanism into and out of action, the rotatable beater, beater-operating mechanism, means for shipping said beater-operating mechanism into and out of action, a barrier-board, and means for raising and depressing said barrier-board; of a transversely-disposed rock-shaft supported in bearings at the front of the body and having crank members and arms mounted upon its respective ends, a hand-lever fixed on said rock-shaft, connection-rods joining said rock-shaft arms with the arms of the barrier-raising means, and connection-rods joining said rock-shaft crank members, respectively, to the shipper devices of the beater-operating mechanism and the bed-operating mechanism for simultaneous operation thereof, substantially as set forth.

10. The combination, with the bed, bed-operating mechanism, beater, beateroperating mechanism and barrier-board; of the hand lever, the shaft operated thereby, crank members fixed on said shaft, means connected with said crank members for respectively throwing the bed-operating and beater-operating mechanisms into and out of action, arms loosely mounted on said shaft with connections for operating the barrier-board, intercugaging lugs or detents on said crank members and arms, spring-pressed latch devices that automatically engage in rear of said arms, and means for retracting said latch devices, for the purposes set forth.

11. In a manure-spreader, the combination with the rotatable beater, movable bottom and its extension-chains, mechanism for operating said beater and movable bottom, and shipping means for throwing said operating mechanisms into and out of gear; of a rockshaft, connections between said rock-shaft and the shipping means, a hand-lever and a reacting spring for moving said rock-shaft, a lever-retaining latch, a trip-lever fulcrumed in the body-frame and having its upper arm connected with said latch, and a hook or detent secured upon the extension-chain and moved thereby into contact with the lower arm of said trip-lever for effecting the retraction of said lever-retaining latch and the automatic stopping of the operating mechanism, substantially as described.

Witness my hand this 25th day of February, 1903.

THEOPHILUS BROWN.

\Vitnesses:

CHAS. II. BURLEIGII, SIMEON E. KING. 

